The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-07-23

the piazza and invited Sam Ruxton to sup
and spend the night at the ranch, instead
of taking the long ride to his own quarters.
Meantime the two men who had been
approaching from the north had stopped
and held a consultation close to the out
building In which All Fong was concealed.
Their appearance was sadly against them.
One was a tall, thin fellow, with a sulien
countenance and shaggy black hair; the
other smaller man with a freckled face
and red whiskers, looking for all the world
like ferret. A precious pair OF rufflans
All Fong thought them, as he strained his
ears to catch the dialogue, thickly inter
larded with profanity, which lasted for five
minutes and until, having apparently made
np their minds what to do, they started In
direction which took thcm round the cor.
ner OF the ranch-house and toward the
party on the piazza.
The Chinese boy, when they had passed
his place Of concealment, emerged, ran
around the house in the opposite direction
and approached Uncle Jim before tho latter
saw the pair. -A ~,
'Master," whispered he, ''hab got two
uecee man come Wantchee stop this side
tonight More better you tallsee he no can
stop. Mi can secure he b'long lallee-loon
man Il can prove that they are ladrones or
robbers)."
"Waal, now," said Uncle Jim, II didn't
never hev no use for cuss that wears a
pig-tail and eats rats. The Chinese must
co. says l. Clear out now and go washee-
washeee, or whatever you call it,"
AS Ah Fong we'll knew, Uncle Jim's bark
was much worse than his bite, nor was
there any fear that he would disregard
warning The Chinese boy drew back just
as the two rough fellows came in sight
4 . Av,;a
see the look Of repulsion come on Uncle
Jim's expressive face, as his experienced
eye took in the details of their obnoxious
appearance. The smaller fellow advanced
as spokesman.
"Iallow yer rdisremember me, MIR. Boyle"
said he, in voice which he tried in vain
to m0dulate, and which contrasted curl
ously with his unctuous manner. II knew
yer when yer was a-snkin' shaft up to
Central, and was prospectin. My name
is Martin, William Martin; but the boys all
call me Beaver-Dam Bill. This yer's my
pard, M. Moses Smith; him they call Mus
tang Nose. Say, Uncle Jim, we allowed
ye'd give us a shake-down fur the night,
fur we've tramped nigh on thirty miles to-
day and we're iest everlastin'l ly played out"
Uncle Jim's keen eyes were fixed on the
unwholesome pair; evidently, while he did
ing memory was suggested by their appear
ance, and he was trying to fix it in his
mind. The larger Of the two shifted his
weight from one foot to the other as he
glanced away to the eastward, and the
spokesman found himself unable to look
the old frontersman fairly in the face. In
deed, his uneasiness was increasing each
moment under the scrutiny to which he was
subjected.
At last Uncle Jim spoke, in slow tones,
and with marked deliberation. "This yere
house amt mine," said he, land the owner
he's down to Pueblo. Eff We keep on along
the trail thar to the left of tho MESA and
nigh on three mile, yell strike Dutch Pete's
ranch, an he's all fixed to take folks in and
give 'em square meal an shake.down.
It's right over them trees yonder, whar ye
see" Here he was interrupted.
Fanny Carroll, who mad been inside the
house, suddenly came out and stood on the
piazza.
20, Mr.. Boyle" she cried, edo not let any
one be turned away from these DOORS
These poor men are weary and foot-sore.
They must not be compelled to go farther.
Let us give them shelter, and supper and q
good nights rest"
She made beautiful picture as she stood
there in graceful attitude; with height
ened color, eyes sparkling, rosy lips slightly
apart. Uncle Jims face relaxed in an in
slant, and the effect OF this lovely appari-
tion upon the two wanderers was marvel
ous. Beaver Dam Bill took off his shabby
hat, shuffled with his feet and made an at
tempt to stammer out his thanks; and
Mustang Nose, turning to look at the ex.
quisite young girl, showed his astonish-.
meat and interest by a complete change Of
countenancc. Never in all his life of vicissi-
tude, and worse than vicissitude, had any
| one seen on his face such an expression of
surprise, then of almost wondering delight; !;
and natural enough, to be sure; for never
in all this same life had he seen such a
sight, much less heard pity for him ex-
pressed in such gentle and dulcet tones.
"Waal," said Uncle Jim, ''thet settles it.
allow the young ladys boss. Here, you
pig-tailed Chinaman, show these men q
place where they can wash the dust Of
Coloraydo of of 'em, and give 'em some
grub"
All Fong obeyed with a curious reluct-
ance, and the two men followed him, more
than once turning to look over their shoul.
ders.
Then came supper and some pleasant
evening hours on the piazza, under the
bright stars and in tho soft air. The two
strangers had supped heartily, and now sat
| by themselves, ut some distance from the
rest Of the party. When Fanny Carroll
sang, in her lovely and well-trained voice,
Mustang Nose took the pipe from his mouth
and let it go out as he held it in his hand.
| When most of the inmates of the house had
retired, Uncle Jim told All Fong to take the
two men to a chamber at the head Of a
small stairway leading from the main room
to the ranch. The boy obeyod and then re-
turned to the main room, in which, on the
wide hearth, burned cheerful fire Of logs.
He approached the stalwart frontiersman,
who sat before the fire gazing into its blaz-
ing depths.
master" said All Fong, che t'luly
b'long lallee.loon man. Mi hear he tallzee
(They are really robbers. heard them
talk.)" Uncle jim looked at him gravely.
"Ah Fong, or whatever yer blamed
heathen name is," said he, ~ didn't never
think I'd come to say it to Chinee, but l
wouldn't be surprised ef yer head was
level. Now you skip to bed am I'll stop
right here. Skip, say"
All Fong went out, closing the door be-
hind him, but he proceeded no further than
the passage, where he crouched in corner,
quiet as a mouse.
In the solitude in which much OF Uncle
| Jim's life was passed, he had formed a